Thomas Keller (rowing)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Keller also known as Thomi Keller (1924–1989) was the president of Féderation Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron (FISA)
, the governing body of international rowing, from 1958 until his death in 1989. A chemical engineer, industrialist and company director, he presided over and inspired the Swiss conglomerate for sport timing, “Swiss Timing” for more than a quarter of a century (from 1972 to 1989).
In his youth, he was a gifted skier and was a member of the Swiss university team for combined Nordic skiing and ski-jumping. It was in rowing, however, that he truly excelled. He was Swiss champion several times over (five times in single or double sculls), and a Bronze medalist in single sculls at the 1950 European Championships.
Keller was chosen to row at the 1956 Summer Olympics
, but his national Olympic Committee chose to boycott the games in protest at the Soviet Union
's invasion of Hungary
(see 1956 Hungarian Revolution
). The Swiss Olympic Committee later reversed its decision, but it was too late to arrange transport to the games in Melbourne
, Australia
. This decision prompted Keller to become involved in sports administration. Two years later, he became president of FISA. At 34, he was one of the youngest presidents of an international sports federation ever to be elected. Keller's guiding principle was that athletic contests were for the athletes, and their interests came first.
The Thomas Keller Medal
is named after him. It is presented by FISA to recently retired rowers who had had an outstanding international career.
Thomas Keller was married to Dorry Bodmer of Zurich
, Switzerland. They had five children: Dominik, Adrian, Bettina, Anne and Barbara Keller.
International Rowing Federation
The Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron, or FISA for short, is the International Rowing Federation which is the governing body for international Rowing. Its current president is Denis Oswald...
, the governing body of international rowing, from 1958 until his death in 1989. A chemical engineer, industrialist and company director, he presided over and inspired the Swiss conglomerate for sport timing, “Swiss Timing” for more than a quarter of a century (from 1972 to 1989).
In his youth, he was a gifted skier and was a member of the Swiss university team for combined Nordic skiing and ski-jumping. It was in rowing, however, that he truly excelled. He was Swiss champion several times over (five times in single or double sculls), and a Bronze medalist in single sculls at the 1950 European Championships.
Keller was chosen to row at the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
, but his national Olympic Committee chose to boycott the games in protest at the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
's invasion of Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
(see 1956 Hungarian Revolution
1956 Hungarian Revolution
The Hungarian Revolution or Uprising of 1956 was a spontaneous nationwide revolt against the government of the People's Republic of Hungary and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from 23 October until 10 November 1956....
). The Swiss Olympic Committee later reversed its decision, but it was too late to arrange transport to the games in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. This decision prompted Keller to become involved in sports administration. Two years later, he became president of FISA. At 34, he was one of the youngest presidents of an international sports federation ever to be elected. Keller's guiding principle was that athletic contests were for the athletes, and their interests came first.
The Thomas Keller Medal
Thomas Keller Medal
The Thomas Keller Medal is given by the International Rowing Federation for an outstanding international career in the sport of rowing. It is the highest honor in rowing and is awarded to any athlete within five years of his/her retirement from the sport...
is named after him. It is presented by FISA to recently retired rowers who had had an outstanding international career.
Thomas Keller was married to Dorry Bodmer of Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, Switzerland. They had five children: Dominik, Adrian, Bettina, Anne and Barbara Keller.